Page 38 of If the Stars Align
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” I’m mortified.
Asher smiles. “I was just wondering if you’ve done data entry before.”
“Oh,” I say, hoping he can’t feel the heat wafting off my face. “Actually, no.”
“Well, it’s very simple and, honestly…” His voice trails off as he looks around to make sure no one’s within earshot. “It’s a little boring,” he continues with a smile. “But you’ll get the hang of it quickly. So here’s the database, and you’re just going to use these documents over here”—he points to a stack on the table—“to fill in these charts over here,” he says, now pointing at the computer screen. “And if you have any questions, I’ll be right across the room, so feel free to grab me.”
“Sounds good,” I say, trying not to react to the fact that he just invited me to grab him.
Ugh, what’s wrong with me?
“You haven’t had sex in, like, a year—that’s what’s wrong with you,” Sam explains later that night at her apartment. We’re sitting cross-legged on her couch, and I’m praying that she doesn’t offer me any tea.
“It hasn’t beenthatlong,” I say with a bit of a scowl. “But almost.”
“Well, I’m happy for you! This is the first time you’ve been attracted to a guy since…” Sam pauses. “You-know-who,” she whispers, as though referring to Lord Voldemort. “This is big!”
She’s right. Itisbig. Maybe I can move on from Dex after all. “Well, who knows if the attraction is mutual,” I say with a sigh. “And even if it is…this time I want to take things slowly.”
Sam is quiet for a second, and I imagine she’ll come back with a snarky remark about how I need to get laid. But instead, she rubs my knee and says, “That sounds like a good plan.”
It’s a spring day in Chicago that’s pleasantly surprising because it actually feels like spring. There’s no biting chill in the air, only a warm breeze and the scent of flowers blooming. The kind of day that reminds you that life is full of new beginnings.
That no matter how broken your heart is, you can still smile, and laugh, and…find yourself attracted to someone else.
I have a crush on Asher Abadie.
It started out as something to bide the time. Because Asher was right—data entryisboring. Maybe I’m a welcome distraction for him too. We’re the only two undergrads working on this project so, naturally, we’ve gravitated toward each other these past few weeks. And it’s probably for the best because, in the absence of Asher’s interest, I know exactly where my mind would wander. I’m not over Dex yet, but will I ever be? At this point, I’d settle for his perfect half-smile not being the first thing I think about when I wake up each morning.
But as I walk to the shuttle stop with Asher after our Fridayafternoon shift, my only thought is whether or not he’s going to ask me out. I’ve been getting vibes from him all week. The way his eyes linger on mine when we say hello and goodbye. The way I catch him stealing glances in my direction when he thinks I’m not paying attention. The way his hand keeps lightly brushing mine while we’re walking.
He's going to ask me now. I feel it coming.
“Hey, I was thinking…I’d like to take you out to dinner sometime,” he says as soon as we’ve run out of things to say about the unexpectedly perfect weather. He clears his throat. “If you’d be interested in that.”
He’s nervous. It’s endearing. I’ve never seen Dex sweat about anything.
“I would definitely be interested in that,” I say, smiling wider than I expected.
“Great!” Asher looks relieved. “Any chance you’re free tonight?”
I didn’t seethatcoming. I thought I’d have at least a day to mentally prepare myself. But maybe it’s better this way. I won’t have time to stress about my first date since Dex. “As a matter of fact, I am.”
“Cool! How about we ditch the shuttle and have dinner downtown?”
“Sounds great!” I say. And when Asher smiles, my knees go weak.
We walk to The Cheesecake Factory. Asher orders a beer, and I have one of those fruity mixed drinks with an umbrella in it, and when the waiter asks for ID, I proudly show my real one, which still feels pretty thrilling, since I turned twenty-one less than two months ago. We eat all the bread in the bread basket.Asher asks for the Cajun Chicken Littles, and I get the Navajo Chicken Sandwich on that deliciously puffy fry bread, and I don’t even care that I sometimes have a little spiced mayo on my face. We split a tuxedo cheesecake, but I eat most of it. We have a really nice time.
We talk nonstop. Mostly about school, a little bit about work and plans for after graduation, typical first date stuff. But what surprises me most is how comfortable I feel with him. I didn’t think I could feel this comfortable with a guy I haven’t known since I was five.
We take a late shuttle back to campus, and he walks me back to my dorm. Not all the way to my room, just to the front door of the building.
“Can I kiss you, Sunny?” he asks me nervously.
I nod and smile.
And that’s how it begins.
